The
Kodiak Seafood and Marine
Science Center
on Near Island welcomed a new face this month. Dr. Brennan Smith joined the
University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences faculty
as an assistant professor on September 10. Smith began in the dairy industry
after completing his undergraduate work in Idaho.

--(New
UAF Faculty 1:25“I started with my
undergraduate studies in the University of Idaho, that’s in Moscow, doing
animal and veterinary science through the college of agriculture. I went out
into the dairy industry with a job, I didn’t really like it, so I went back to
school and got my masters degree at Kansas
State University
in food science. They asked me to stay on for a Phd and I did, during that time
I also worked for the USDA and they paid for my stipend and everything.”)

Cows
are a far cry from the seafood science studied here in Kodiak, but Smith said
there are parallels in his research and he is excited for the opportunity to
work in a new industry.

--(New
UAF Faculty 2: 29“Well when I did my
graduate work I was doing protein chemistry and protein functionality to
increase end use quality in grain product. I’ve always had a profound interest in
fisheries and fishery products; it’s jus that the opportunity has never
presented itself to me. So when I saw the position I was very excited to apply
for it. And I did, I was brought up here for an interview and I was lucky
enough to be awarded the position.”)

Smith’s
work with proteins will fit right in with research at the marine science
center. He said he hopes to continue the work of current staff in promoting
quality seafood products in the marketplace.

--(New
UAF Faculty 3: 24“What I really want to
accomplish is just to help increase end use quality with the fishery products
here. Whether that be stability, finding solutions to old problems, just really
anything that can be related to the products especially how changes in proteins
and stuff that you typically see across the board for any type of protein, and
how we can prevent or promote certain things to increase end use quality.”)

Beyond
the classroom and laboratory, Smith said he’s enjoying his time amongst the
Kodiak community.

--(New
UAF Faculty 4:09“Yeah I mean I really
like it, the people are great. That’s the one thing that stands out to me is
just how hospitable the people are, just how welcoming they are.”)

Smith
said he is still in the process of moving from Kansas to Kodiak, so will be splitting his
time between the two in the coming months. He said he hopes to have he and his
wife fully moved to the island by December.